Governor Steve Beshear proclaimed February 23 as the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) Super Sunday Day in Kentucky during a press event today at the Capitol.

Super Sunday is an annual student recruitment initiative specifically targeting African-American and Latino students. On February 23, KCTCS and each of its 16 colleges will partner with African-American and Latino churches in their communities to host information fairs for prospective college students and their families.

“Our Super Sunday Day declaration calls attention to KCTCS’ annual student recruitment initiative targeting our African-American and Latino students and their families,” Gov. Steve Beshear said. “This program helps remove the roadblocks to a higher education for the good of our state, our communities and our families.”

In addition to the Governor, the press event was attended by KCTCS President Michael B. McCall, KCTCS Board of Regents Chair P.G. Peeples and representatives from all of the 16 colleges, including outstanding African-American alumni named to the Super Sunday Hall of Fame. Also in attendance were state legislators, community leaders and pastors from several of the participating churches.

“We want students to know…Yes, You Can go to college. Yes, You Can get a college degree. And Yes, You Can have a high paying job,” said KCTCS President Michael B. McCall. “Events like Super Sunday are essential to helping students connect with advocates who will help them understand the wide range of career and educational offerings available.”

On Super Sunday, more than 5,000 prospective college students and their families are expected to attend the statewide college fairs sponsored by KCTCS and its 16 colleges. Many will take place at African-American and Latino churches, and the church service will be followed by a college fair with college representatives on hand as advocates to assist with admissions and financial aid information.
“More of Kentucky’s youth are attending college, but students of color are still not proportionately represented in college attendance or graduation rates,” said KCTCS Board of Regents Chair and Hall of Fame Alumni P.G. Peeples. “We have to change that. We have to continue to spread the message that a college degree can put you on the path to success.”

Higher education begins at KCTCS for most Kentuckians, and so it is a vital part of the KCTCS mission to increase the educational opportunities for people of color, including African-Americans and Latinos. Super Sunday is a statewide initiative intended to increase the college-going rate of students of color.

This event is patterned after a highly successful program at California State University, now in its eighth year, that is credited with substantially increasing the college-going rate of African-American students in California.